It began as a holy instrument of mercy in the hands of a Roman soldier presentat Christ's Passion and became one of history's most powerful relics. The Spearof Christ is believed to have been infused with miraculous power as it piercedthe side of Christ on the cross and has been linked to some of history's mostmiraculous episodes. Today, four artifacts stake a claim to be the Holy Lance:one in Krakow, one in Vienna, one in the Vatican, and one in Armenia. DECODINGTHE PAST tracks the stories associated with this most venerated relic andattempts to determine through scientific analysis whether a true Spear of Christexists today.

The exact date of Geghard’s foundation is unknown. In one of the caves of Gegharda-dzor there still gushes a spring which was believed to be a sacred one in heathen times. Following a tradition, it continued to be worshipped even after Christianity had spread in Armenia. As a result, a monastery called Airivank, or a “cave monastery”, was founded there at the beginning of the fourth century. The present name can be traced back to the 13th century when, as a legend says, the legendary spear — geghard — [that pierced Christ] was brought there.

I also share the notion that hardly any of the existing spears is the one that pierced Jesus' body. But I disagree with the comment made by one of the historians (Brit I guess, they are the dumbest), that it couldn't be the one that is kept in Armenia because it doesn't look like a spear, nor it can pierce anything.

As it was pointed out earlier on the clip, the ones (spears) that had very sharp end were introduced somewhere after 600 AD, which obviously dismisses the idea that the original one would be the same shape and form as the ones used after 600 AD. As far as I have seen ancient artifacts, pictured or depicted in any other way, the form of the ancient spears was exactly like the one kept in Echmiadzin. The crosses on the side were ornaments that were added later. The metal also has the tendency of aging. After 2000 years the spear cannot be as sharp or effective as it was then.

"One of the soldiers pierced his side with a lance, and immediately there came out blood and water " - The Gospel of John

The ‘Spear of Christ’ has passed into Christian Gospel as the holy lance used at Jesus’ crucifixion. In the Gospel of John, this holy relic is depicted as an instrument of mercy. While Jesus hung on the cross, the Romans planned to break his legs in order to hasten his death. Realising that he had already perished, an unknown soldier stabbed his side to ensure he was dead, thus avoiding the indignity of ‘crurifragium’.

Many Christians believe that this sacred artefact is infused with divine powers. Indeed, it has been linked to some of history’s most miraculous episodes. The survival of this antique spear was first recorded in 570 A.D, when the pilgrim St. Antoninus of Piacenza recorded viewing it in the Basilica of Mount Sion.

However, the story is complicated by the existence of no less than four ‘Spears of Christ’. Religious leaders in Krakow, Vienna, Armenia, as well as in Vatican City itself, all claim to be in possession of the authentic Holy Lance. More recently, the controversial artist Jeffrey Vallance created an artwork in which he made several duplicates of the Lance, placing them in various locations across the globe; he intended to further obscure the identity of the true Lance.

We journey through history, painstakingly tracking and unearthing the stories associated with this most venerated relic. We visit each of the four artefacts. Through scientific analysis, we attempt to discover if a true Spear of Christ exists today.